Device for opening sealed containers



March 12, 1935. o. N. wlswELL 1,994,158

DEVICE FOR OPENING SEALED CONTAINERS Filed June 28, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l March l2, 1935. oI N4 wlswr-:LL

DEVICE FOR OPENING SEALED CONTAINERS Filed Ju`1'1e 28, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lOl Patented` "Man 12, 1935 DEVIACEFORDPENINGSEALD ooN'rAINERs ,"Qzro N. Wiswell, Los.` Angeles, Calif.,` `assgnor to Swingspout `'ll/[easure Company, Los Angeles,

Calif-.fe corporation 0f Qfernie Application4 jouets, 1933, serial No. 678,062 7 v Q17 o laims.` "(01.221-23)V `p-This invention relates to adevice for "opening sealed containersrand relates more particularly to a container opening devicefor use'onV dispensing andmeasuring receptacles. It is ageneral )i object of the present invention to provide a sim-g ple`,j practical -andjefiective device for opening `sealed `containers that'-is adapted to be rern'ov-VV ably-arranged on a receptacle for receiving the 'are opened. f i

'Another object'of the inventions tolprovide a n device' `foropening "sealed containers 'of motor oil,

orithe 1ike`,that comprisesa cutter operable to` cut an openingin the end of Va container that is 15"L forced down uponit` and a base carryingthecutter andy adapted to be` removably4 seated `on the upper end" of aliquid measure ordispensi'ng re" upperf'end of `a receptacleand'acutter on the- `base that is `inclined downwardlyand inwardly 3o towardthe centerof the receptacle Sothat the baseis not displacedfrom thereceptacle When al container` is pushed onto the cutter to be opened thereby.` l 'n I f f n Y :Another .object of the invention is to'provide a 35. portableforjremovabledevice for opening sealed containers that is adapted to be .placed on the. upper endof a receptacle such asa measuring re ceptacle and `does not interfere'wth the meas` uringfunction of the receptacle.`A `1 sealed containersthat may be used onaliquid measuringl receptacles and dispensing receptacles ofgvarious makesgshapesnetc.

L Another object ofthe invention is .to provide a device for opening sealed containersthat `includes abase adaptedtobe arranged onthe up- Y per end lof'a receptacle,t aninclined cutterA projec'ting .upwardlyffrom'the lease,` and a guide on 50? the baseoperable tdguide containers onto the cutterthat formsashield for the cutter"andrp'redevice `from being injuredv ventstheuser rof `the on the cutter."` i

i: Another object ofthe `invention is to provide a device ofmthe ,character rn'entioned for opening contentsof the container or containers as they Another` object of the invention is to provide a` It is another object of the invention toprovide a .device-of the character mentioned .foryopening` sealedfcont'ainers' of lubricating oil,` ofthe-like,- that permits theentire contents of a container to freely and quickly drain into the receptacle Without soiling the eXteriors` of the receptacl'ef and opened container. n l' i A further object "of the inventionis tobpr'ovide a` device ofthe character mentionediforopening sealed containers that is simple and inexpensive of manufacture and Athat is safe, easy andcon- 4venient to handle and'use. Y*

Another object of the invention isto provide a `container opening device having an improved cutter operable to make a large, clear .opening in a sealed container.' v0ther. objects and features 'of the' invention Will be best and fully understoodfrom thecfol` lowing detailed description of ."ty'pical `forms "and applications of the. invention, throughout 'which description reference Will be hadto the accom-` panyingdrawings, in which: f.

Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of Athe 'deviceprovided by the present invention. ll'li'g.I 2is `afve'r-i. tical detailed sectional viewof the opener illus-"1 trating it in operativeV position on the upper.' endl" of one form of dispensing receptacle. `Fig. f3'isE a-front elevation'of the'device showing'itv mount-f' ed on the upper `end of anothertypeof receptaclel Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary'sctional `vievv of the `cutter taken as indicatedby` line 4i-'41 on Fig: 3.v Fig'. 5 isv an enlarged' fragmentary` sectionalvievvtaken asN indicated byline 5.-;[51'onf Fig. 2." Fig. 6 is `a side 4elevation of anotherfem'- bodiinent of the'invention .involving,meansV for y removably retaining the base on the receptacle.:

Fig. 'T is a vertical-detailed sectional View of still another vform of the inventiongand4 Fig. 8 a fragmentary transversel detailedfsectional vievv taken as indicated byline 8 8 on Fig.=:7. 215.*

The'container opening device of thepresen invention may be varied'considerably in proper` tions andi design so as' to 'be adapteciffor use on. c

receptacles of diierent shapes 4and sizes. forex-`f ample, the base of `the devicev may be shaped and' proportioned to t on receptacles .OfunuSualSpr specialshapes or sizes. Throughout t,he=follovv't ing detailed disclosure: I will :describe two typical'v forms of the invention ladapted to" be" usedlvfon" they various common i .types of receptacles ein;`

`ployed in the measuring and dispensing of lubri.

cating oil, it "being understood `that the invention isnot to bevconstrued'as limited orrestrictedto the specific forms and applications/of the inverl tion about to befdescribed, but isj'to be taken as including any features orhmo'dication's thaiirnayv fall within thescope of the claims. 'l

The form: of the present invention illustratedy in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings includes, generally, a base 10, adapted to be arranged on the upper end of a receptacle R, a cutter 11 on the base 10 operable to cut an opening in the end of a container C forced down upon it, and a guide 12 on the base 10 for guiding the container C on the cutter. The base 10 carries the cutter 11 and guide 12 and'is shaped'and designed to effectively seat or rest on the upper end of a measuring or dispensing receptacle, for instance, on the receptacle R. The base 10 is preferably annular in plan configuration to fit ontheiupperend 13 of the substantially cylindrical receptacle R. The receptacle R illustrated in thedrawings has a rounded or inwardly turnedupper end 13'and is provided with an internal flangeA 14 onV the lower inner edge of the rounded top 13 to indicate the level to which the container is to be filled to measure a definite quantity of liquid.' A continuous'annular -recess orgroove 15 isfprovided in the=lower side of the base 10 having grooved Oronafved walls, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, so that the base may properly engage the rounded upper end 13`of the receptacle R. The y.base 110 provided with the groove l15 in its under ,-side is-alsogoperable toeffectively seat or rest .on the upper ends of receptacles of various Shapes,for example, it may readily'seat onV the upper end of areceptacle R' Aof the character illustratedin Fig. .3 Vof the drawings. Thegroove 1'5-15 of uniform shape and proportions throughout its length so that thel base lois operable vto evenly and firmly rest on the upperend of a receptacle. The base 10 may .beshaped so that it extendszorrdepends a substantial distance .downwardly `and outwardly over the upper end 13 of the receptacle ,butdoes not project any appreciablydistance :downwardlyand inwardly into 'the mouth of the receptacle. yIn practice, the base 10 adoos' not .extendv into. the liquid measuring portion i off.the'interior of the receptacle R. .The upper end or surface 16 of thebase 10 maybe curvedor made convex; as illustrated throughout thedrawings. In the particular form ofthe invention illustrated, `the upper and lower, surfaces lzand 1-6 .of the base 10 have adjacent centers of curvature.y base; 10iar.e preferably rounded and smooth. The base 1.0 formed as just described doesfnot in any way'interfere' with 4a full. view of the interior .of the receptacle Rorwith thepouring or draining 0f.,liquid.into the .open Lupper end or mouth of the receptacle. C e

The cutter l1 is operable to vcut a comparative-` ly large openinginthelower-end of the container CA as` the container is forceddown upon it so that the contentsof the container may freely dis-` charge'into the receptacle vR. In accordance withit-he invention the cutter. 11 is carried by the base 1,0 .and projectsupwardly and outwardly from .the inner edge ofthe base.'V Spaced hori- Zrontal anges 18 project inwardly from `a dependentinternal lipf19- ofthe base l0 `to Vcarry the .cutter 11. `The cutter 11 is substantially Uf-ishaped in horizontal cross fsectionandis po.- stionedso that its open side facesiinwardly.y outwardly or Voppositely projecting ears 20 are provided on the lower'ends of the side .parts of thefoutter 1,1 to seat on the spaced flanges 18. Srewsor bolts 2,11attach the Years 20 to the flanges `18. {Ihespacedside parts 22 of the cutter .are vertical and substantially parallel,` while the outer portionof--the cuttenwhich vis of curved horizontal Oss section, is.inclinedr uptainer continues.

The inner and outer4 edges of the.

wardly and outwardly as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The cutter l1 projects a considerable distance upwardly from the base 10 and the upper edges of the side parts 22 are inclined upwardly and outwardly at a substantial angle to join in a point 24 at the upper end of the cutter. In accordance with the invention the upper ends `or edges 25 of the-side parts 22 are flat and at substantially right angles to the faces of the parts 22 and the `point 24 is sharpened to readily pierce the end C when the container is pushed down on the cutter and the outer edges of the flat upper ends 25 ofthe sidef'parts 22 shear the material of the container as the downward movement of the con- The flat end faces 25 engage the portion of the container end outlined bythe cut formed by the cutter to roll it upwardlyin the. manner illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The peculiar configuration of the cutter and the particularV cuttingaction just described insures thecutting v,of a large clear opening inthe end of the container C. As will be subsequently described, the point 24 of the cutter pierces the end of the `container C immediately adjacent its periphery so that the cut formed by the cutter 1l extends inwardly from the lowest peripheral portion-of the tipped container to provide for the complete draining of the contents of the container. Openings 26 ,extend upwardlyfrom the lower end of the cutter 11 to permit the freedraining of liquid from behind the cutter. AThe openings 26y are separated byv a downwardly projecting tongue 27 having an inwardly curvedlower end to prevent the bead on the lower end of the container C from becoming caught -in the cutter.

The guide 12 isprovided to guide containers on to the cutter 1l yandl to shield the cutter. 'Ihe guide 12 projects upwardly from the base l-OV adjacent the cutter 11 andl is rigidwith the base. In practice, theI guide l2 may ybe'integral with the base, in which case the base and guide may be in the nature of a one-,piece cast-ing'. The embodiment of the invention*beingxdescribed is intended primarily tovopen ,containers of round or cylindrical cross section, and the guide 12 is shaped to effectively handle such containers. The guide 12 ispofcurvedhorizontal cross section having a concave inner face 30 for slidably guiding the containers on the cutterv l1. yThe container guiding face30 of the guide 12 is spaced a short distance outwardly from the outer face of the cutter l1 and is inclined upwardly and outwardly, being substantially parallel with the outer curved portion 23 of the cutter. 'The curved facer30 of the guide ypreferably has a comparatively large radius of curvature so las to be adapted to guide containers varying considerably in size. The *guide12V is lpreferably sufciently large to project upwardly beyond the pointed upper endr ofthe cutter and circumferentially outward beyond the `opposite ends of the cutter. The .upper end 31 of the guide 30 is preferably rounded ,as clearly: illustrated in Fig. 3 yof the drawings. It willl be apparent how the guide 12is operable to slidably guide the container C downwardly on to ,the cutter 1l so thatV the point 24 of the cutterl pierces the end of the vcontainer adjacent its periphery and the cutter formsan opening inthe endof the container extending `inwardly from its peripheral edge.

lyto inclusive/.offthegfdrawingswill .be readily apparent from `.the .foregoing detailed description.

When'sit V. .desired to fopen. a `sealed'...container C1 `and lto dispense itsb.c,ontents, the `base .10 of t the. L.device isiseatedon thenpperend v|13 .ofthe eeptacle andthe container .is pushed ,downf Wardly on z the cutterwl'lf.; .The guide :.12 gpides the .container :so thatlthe point `.24 .of` the cutter. pierces fthe end` of thecontainer f at its periph- Blialxedgefand therguidef12 i continues to guide the l@container `in a tilted. or inclined position as it is forced downwardly on the cutter 11.. The inclined Jshearing .edges 25 ofythe cutter operate to make .an increasingly largersopening =inthe en dof they containeraszthecontainer `is moved downwardly Ion 'the cutting` edge, a and in i. beingf blunt .or fiat. .cause .the material vwithin fthe cutA to be yrolled"upwardly and inwardly leaving .a free opening .in the Jendof `the container. r s The contents .of the containeriare .free to.` entirely drain A.through fthe opening `tliusformed and pass downwardly between the Aspacedparts l of the cutter .andthe spaced `parts of the 4cutter and thespacedlflanges l8vinto'thefreceptacle R'. Any of l the. .contents :that may flow .behind 'the cutter are `free to drainthrough` the openings 26. As the container C" isinf'attipped `or inclined posi` tionY .when opened, its contents quickly and ien-V tirely` drain `out through the opening formed by the'cutter` 11; .v

The force exerted on the container C to open it on thecutter'111is directed downwardly and inwardly toward ytlfi-e center of` the `receptacle f R;-

they guide -12 and cutter- H111 actingto guide the?A containerdn *this directionduring the opening operation. lThis downwardly andinwardly di? rected Yforcedoes not tendito shift or displace the` basel 10 'fromI the :upper end of the receptacle and does not cause the' opening device or receptacle to tip. After the liquid -has'drainedffrom the containerlC into thereceptacle R, lthe oontainer and base110 -maytbefremoved from `thereceptaclef` and fthe liquiddispensed'through the swingable Yspout .50, orvifdesired;` the base 10.

carryingthe` container'C may be left on the re` ceptacle during'the dispensing fof the Fliquid. When `the-base is removed -from `the receptacle the'container may bewleft onjthe eutterfandfthe base inverted so thatfanywliquidthat maylbe clingingto the 'base-orcutter may drain back into the` container'.` Asftloe` opening device and container C .do not extendinto .the Yinterior of the receptacleRitlreyvdo notinterfere .with the measuring Vfunctionof the receptacle and do not become soiled-by the liquid. The liquid` dischargingl or draningvfro'mfthe.openingin the end of the container C formedA by the cutter l1 does not soilf the exteriors of :thereceptacle 1R or oonytainer .C and merely .wets onlylsmall portions of l the cutter and nangeslS. .LThenoontaineropen-t ing? devicej of theprsent invention is not rigidly or n permanently .connected .with the .dispensing be used the=handling of liquids that'arel not heldl t'sealeclp-containers The i device is .always available and: may: be x-.quickly seatedion the receptacle A when itgis desired :to I openy a y sealed icontainer and dispense itscontents.'l'1he container;

opening. device doesjfnot. any `way injure or mar. thef receptacle fand. Arnayvv be: constructed so.

that .itirna-ymbe iised .on` receptacles .of various 9 Glasses. The device .ofrlthe presentizinventionfis inexpensive of manufacture.. and}issafe andgcorle `ly from the base V10 .to engage `the bead 6.0 .at

the lower outer edge ofthe receptacle toplg. The flexiblemembers .41.may be suitably attached tothebase -101as at 42. 'l1-he active flower ends 61 of the ,clipmembersfll maybe-bowed .or bent inwardly to. effectively `engage under the bead 6l).v l Itgwillbef apparenthow the base 41.0 mayV be readilvseated .onthe upper end 13 ofY .thomsontacle and howlspringrnembers 41. spring 1over.

thebead .6D-.t0 Yhave their lower portions .engage under the `bead in amalmlerso lthat the mem-4 bers 4.1 yieldinely urge ,the has@ downwardlvfon easily v. clisengaged :from the `bead y6.0 and the base 1.0 removed from the upper endof the receptaf cle by merely lifting the basefreeoftliellepe tacle. The holding `means 40 is operableftogcler;A pendablvfetan the Container opening .device 011 thupper end 0f the. receptacle when the .11eceptacle is being handled and shifted. p i i If desirable or found t necessary,Y a clip be providedon the receptacle R -iorfcoeperating with the has@ .1G toreleasablv. hold .the base Qn .the

device 40 is. provided on the base l0, it isprelf;er ably positioned at av .point diametricallyopposite the cutter 11. The clip 65 is attached to thleupf.` per end portion of the handle H of the receptacle and is adapted to engage the upperV sidefof the baselO to urge the base downwardly on the upper end of the receptacle. vhThe clip 651111235' be suitably attached to the handle H as at. accordance with the invention, the clip 65 is ilexible .and resilient and curves upwardly soas to fit-over the outer portion of the base 10. A rolled part 67 is provided on the upper end of the clip 65 to cooperate with `a recess or depression in the upper side oi the baselOat the lower end, of the' guideY 12. It will `be apparent how the base 10 may be `slipped under the projecting portion. of the clip 65 so that the rolled end'l .seatsin the depression 68 to urge the base on to theireceptacle'. Theholding' device 4() may then be snapped down-f wardly over the rim or bead 60 to aid in retain;` ing the base on the receptacle.

The forrnof the invention'illustrated inn Figs. '7Y and 8 of the 'drawings' includes, generally, abase 10a.` adapted to be positioned on the upper vend of the measuring Lor dispensing receptacle, a cut-v Vter 11a carriedbythe base. and a guide12a forguiding containers on tothe cutter tobe opened. thereby. n .i

The base 10a and thecutter 11a may be identical withthe base 10 andy cutter 11 described above. The guide 12a` is attachedjto the upper side of the base lat a point outwardlyofthe upper end of the receptacle. Where oneholding cutter llalv The'guide 12a is a comparatively narrow elongate menber'having ali-lat or substantial` ly flat inner side '70 for guiding the containerson the cutter. f "A base iiange or attaching iiange y'7-1` is provided on the lowerfend of the guide 12=i and Y seatson the upper side of the base 10a. The sur-r` face'of the base 10a supporting the ange 71-may l be ilat.

In accordance withl the t invention, Atheguiding. surface 17.0 'of the guidelisspacedffrorn-and or comparativelylarge containers of various consubstantially :parallel Vthe outer Vsurfa'ceof the cutter portion 23a. The guide 12.@ is attached' to the base la'so `that it maybe adjusted rela` be adjusted-'toward and awaylfrom thev cutter when the screws 72 are loosened. 'Ihe longitudinal edges of the guide 12a may converge upwardly somewhat and the upper end of the guide may be rolled.- The inner surface 'I5 of thebaselip 19n is preferably spaced from.`and substantially parallel with the inclined plane tangential to the outer surface of the curved portion 23a of the cutter and parallel 'to the surface 70 of the guide. The operationfof the form of the invention illustrated inFigs. '7 and 8 of the drawings is the same as the operation of the other'forms of the invention- The guide v70, in being adjustable relative to the cutter and'in having a fiat compara` tively narrow guiding surface adapts the device for opening containers of various configurations, for example, containers having flat sides. The devicemay be embodied in forms for opening large fgurations. i Having described only typical forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish' to be limited or restricted to the specicfforms and applications herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that 'may appear tothose skilled in the art or fall Within thescope of the following claims.

' Having described my `invention, `I claim:

A container opening device for use on an opentopped receptacle including, a baseadopted to be removably :seated on the upper end ofthe receptacle, the basehaving a relieved lower side to receive the upper end portion of thereceptacle and to have bearing engagement with the receptacle along the major vportion of its upper end, and a'cutter projecting upwardly from the opening in a container forced onto it.

2.',Acontainer opening device for use on an open topped receptacle including, a base having a downwardlyfacing lower side to be removably seated on an upwardly facing surface of the receptacle, anda cutter projecting upwardly from the base for cutting an opening in a vcontainer pushed upon it, thebase having bearing .engagement with the receptacle at points remote from` the cutter. .l

3. A container opening device for use on an open topped receptacle including, a base having a downwardly facing lower side to seat on an upwardly facing surface of the receptacle, a cutter projecting'from'the base adapted to cut' an opening in containers forced on it, and aguide onthe base for guiding the container onto the cutter,

the base having bearing engagement with the said surface ofthe receptacle at a point across the upperend of the receptacle fromthe cutter.

4, A container opening device for use on an open topped receptacle. including, an annular basehaving a downwardlyfacing lower surface to removably seat onan upwardly facing surface of a receptacle, a cutter projecting. from the base adapted to cut an opening in a vcontainer forcedr onto it,V the cutter being inclined with respect to saidv surface of the base so that the force acting on the cutter. during the opening of the container is directed' downwardly and inwardlyv toward the4 Lenguask centerof. the receptacle, and means 'for guiding thel'container'on thecutter'l :i

l'. A container opening device forv use: on an open topped receptacle including; 'a base ladapted to bei removablypositioned on the upper end of the, receptacle, and acuttersupportedvby the base within the confines of the lupper portionof the receptacle and projecting therefrom to cut an opening in a container pushed onto it. and pitched so that the forceacting on the cutteris directed downwardly .and inwardly towardthe center of the receptacle, thebase having bearing engagement with the receptacle at points'v remote from the cutter, f

r6. A container opening device for use on an wopen topped receptacle including, abase adapted to be removably seated on the upper end of the receptacleythere being a groove kin the lower side Vof the baseto receive the upper,l end of the re-V ceptacle, and anupwardly projecting cutter'. on thebase operable to cut an opening in a containerzforced upon it, the base engaging the upper per end ofa receptacle, there being agroovein the lower side of the 'base forireceiving the upper edge portion of the receptacle, and an upwardlyv and outwardly inclined' cutter on vthe base operable to cut an opening in a container pushed onto -8. A container opening device for use on an open topped receptacle including, an annular base adapted to be removably seated on ythe up'- per end of Aa receptacle, a part disposed in a plane below said end of receptacle and projecting inwardly yfrom the base, and acutter supported by said part and projecting upwardly from the base.

9. A container 'opening device for Ause on an open topped receptacle including an'annular base adapted to be removably seated on the upper end of a receptacle, spaced flanges projectinginwardlyl from the base and disposed in a plane below vsaid end of the receptacle, and a-cutter supported by the flanges and.' projecting upwardly from the base, the cutter being substan-A tially U-shaped in horizontal cross section with ,Y

its open side facing inwardly. f

10. A container opening device for use on an open topped receptacle including, an annular base adapted to be removably seated on the upper end' of ya receptacle, a part projecting inwardly from the base and disposed in'a plane below said end of the receptacle, and a cutter supported bythe said part and projecting upwardly and'outwardly base adapted to be removably seated on the upper end of a receptacle, spaced flangesy projecting inwardly from the inner edge of the base, and an upwardly projecting cutter substantially U- shaped in horizontal cross section supported by the flanges and having thespace between its side parts aligned withy the space betweenthe flanges.

'12. 'A container opening'device for luse on a receptacleV including, a baseadapted to be removably positioned on the upper end of the receptacle, va cutter projectingy from the base and adapted to cut an opening in a container forced downwardly on it, a guide projecting from Vth/e base and having a container guiding surface substantially U-shaped in horizontal cross section cutter projecting from the base operable to cut an opening in a container pushed down uponit, the base having engagement with the receptacle at points remote from the` cutter. i

14. In a device for Opening 'sealed'containera a projecting cutter operable to cut an opening in a container forced upon it, the cutter being substantially U-shaped in transverse cross section comprising an outer portion having a sharpened point at its upper end for piercing the container and spaced side parts having substantially flat inclined upper edges in a common plane and sub' stantially normal to the adjacentside surfaces of theside parts.v i Y y15. A device for opening sealed containers including, a base, and a cutter projecting upwardly from the base operable to cut an opening in a container forced down on it, the cutterubeing comprising spaced side parts and a connecting part joining the side parts', the connecting part having a sharpened point at its upper end for j piercing 'the container and the side parts having substantially flat upper edges in a common plane inclined downwardly from the point and substantially normal to the adjacent side surfaces` of the side parts to shear the material of the container and to roll the portion of the container between theA side parts of the cutter upwardly and awa-yfrom the cutter.

16. A container opening device for use on an open topped receptacle including, a base adapted to be removably seated on the upper end of the l receptacle, a projecting cutter on the base operable to cut `an opening in a container pushed down on it, and a spring clip on the base operable `to cooperate with a part of the receptacle to releasably holdrthe base on the receptacle.

-17. A device for opening cans and adapted for `use `on an open topped receptacle, Ysaid device including an annular base having a downwardly rfacing surface adapted to removably seat on the upwardly facing end of the receptacle and shaped to cooperate therewith to prevent lateral movement of the base, and a cutter proj ecting from the base for cutting an opening in a can.

OZRO N. WISWELL.4 

